Author Topic: Naval powder tank?  (Read 744 times)

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Offline navygunner

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Naval powder tank?
« on: February 08, 2010, 12:12:09 PM »
Help is needed identifying these. I believe it is a 150lb copper magazine powder tank used by U S Navy warships

Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Naval powder tank?
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 01:05:27 PM »
Whew!  VINTAGE!

You could get a million bucks for that on ebay!   >:(
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Offline Ex 49'er

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Re: Naval powder tank?
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 04:48:02 PM »
I've seen lots of different sizes of the WWII powder tanks; but, never powder tanks like these.
Great find.
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Offline KABAR2

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Re: Naval powder tank?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2010, 04:11:09 AM »
I think these were used at magizines on base for storing bulk powder in preperation
of filling powder bags, from what I have heard powder on board ship was already
bagged for use not loose.
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Offline navygunner

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Re: Naval powder tank?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2010, 04:23:22 AM »
Yes the charges were prebagged and placed in powder tanks within the magazine. Tanks were to be marked with size of charge. An empty tank was used in each landing party boat as a temp. magazine for the loaded small arms cartridge boxes and spare cartridges. The 1864 ord instructions give the number of charges each tank could hold. The 150lb tank held approx 18 charges for an 8inch/64 pounder gun. The tank was placed on it's side with the hinge down so the charges could be handed out to thru the magazine screens. Tanks capacity was based on pounds of powder in grains thus you make a good point on this maybe being used ashore since the powder charge size isn't painted on the lid. a 150lb tank was 22 1/8 inch tall with 15X15 inch sides. This tank was found in the Cayman Islands.

Geo Dailey
gunnersmate U. S. Naval Landing Party
Navay/Marine Living History Association

Offline Cannoneer

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Re: Naval powder tank?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2010, 05:47:14 AM »
NG,
Thanks for posting the photos of this U.S. Navy ordnance BP storage tank, because I've never seen an example before.


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Offline 1Southpaw

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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2010, 08:32:23 AM »
in the lower right photo , No sparks in the powder room !   :D
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